Baked Ziti with Pesto

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ziti pasta (mostaccioli or other pasta can substitute)
• 2 T olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 C canned crushed tomatoes in thick puree
• ¼ t salt
• ½ t freshly ground pepper
• 1 ½ C ricotta cheese
• 3 C mozzarella cheese OR 2 C shredded and 1 ball of fresh mozza pearls
• ½ - 1 C pesto
• ½ C Parmesan cheese

Preparation

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Oil an 8X8 oven dish.

Cook the ziti for 7 minutes (partially cooked). Drain.

In a medium saucepan, heat 1 ½ T of the oil and cook the onion and garlic until softened. Add the tomatoes, salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes or while the pasta cooks.

In a small bowl, blend the ricotta, 2 C shredded mozzarella, pesto, and ¼ C parmesan cheese. Add pepper to taste.

Put half the ziti in the baking dish and top with the tomato sauce. Spread the cheese/pesto mixture on top of the layer. Add another layer of pasta, sauce and then the remaining mozzarella (pearls or shredded) and ¼ C parmesan.

Bake for 30 minutes, remove and set 10 minutes before serving.